The All Progressives Congress (APC) clinched five of the six chairmanship positions decided in the Federal Capital Territory’s Area Council elections, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a single win.
Official results released on Sunday, February 22, 2026, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed the APC prevailing in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abuja Area Council, Bwari Area Council, and Kuje Area Council. The PDP, however, secured victory in the Gwagwalada Area Council.
In Gwagwalada, PDP flag bearer Mohammed Kasim, was declared the winner after polling 22,165 votes, defeating the APC candidate Yahaya Shehu, who garnered 17,788 votes.
Reacting, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the performance of the APC at the polls reflected growing public confidence in the policies and programmes of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, who is currently a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that the APC’s success, particularly in remote communities within the Federal Capital Territory, signaled that government initiatives are beginning to impact lives at the grassroots.
Wike pointed out that this marks the first time the APC is securing councillorship seats in some of the hinterland areas, alongside what he describes as an overwhelming majority in the local council chairmanship positions.
The Minister also weighed in on the outcome of the recent by-election in Rivers State, describing the APC’s performance as a victory for what he calls a “rainbow coalition” of political stakeholders.
He said the alliance reflects a broader alignment of interests in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The results, he added, underscored shifting political dynamics and growing cross-party collaboration ahead of future electoral contests.
A breakdown of the results showed:
•PDP – 22,165
•APC – 17,788
•APGA – 1,687
•ADC – 1,366
Kasim of the PDP was declared winner, having polled the highest number of votes.
In Bwari Area Council, Joshua Ishaku of the APC emerged winner with 18,466 votes.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship election held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the Returning Officer, Mohammed Nurudeen, announced.
INEC figures showed:
•APC – 18,466
•ADC – 4,254
•ZLP – 3,515
Ishaku of the APC was returned elected.
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Christopher Maikalangu of the APC was re-elected after polling 40,295 votes.
“That Maikalangu of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the AMAC Collation Officer, Andrew Abue, said.
Results released by the commission indicated:
•APC – 40,295
•ADC – 12,109
•SDP – 2,185
•NNPP – 1,694
•PDP – 3,398
Maikalangu of the APC secured the highest votes.
In Abaji Area Council, Umar Abdullahi Abubakar of the APC won the chairmanship election.
INEC results showed:
•APC – 15,536
•PDP – 4,547
•ADC – 37
Abubakar of the APC was declared winner.
In Kwali Area Council, the APC candidate, Nuhu Daniel, polled 17,032 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Haruna Pai, who secured 8,575 votes. Daniel of the APC was returned elected.
INEC results showed:
- APC – 17,032
- PDP – 8,575
Daniel of the APC was declared winner.
In Kuje Area Council, APC candidate Danjuma Shekwolo won the chairmanship after polling 17,269 votes.
INEC results showed:
- APC – 17,269
- PDP – 15,824
- APGA – 4,305
Shekwolo of APC was declared winner
